Dave Roberts shares Dodgers plan for future as 2024 World Series champions – Source: Getty

The Los Angeles Dodgers emerged as World Series favorites after adding Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani to a star-studded roster last offseason, and the NL West team delivered on the expectations, clinching their eighth title. They defeated the New York Yankees in five games to win their second Fall Classic in four years.

With Shohei Ohtani set to return to the mound next season and the addition of two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell this offseason, the Dodgers are a strong favorite to go back-to-back next year.

In the latest conversation with “The Dodgers Bleed Los Podcast,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said (1:20 onwards):

“We are going to run it back. LA is a city of champions and that is something I appreciate. We want rings, Mookie Betts said it, Shohei Ohtani said it, they want to accumulate rings and build their legacy. That’s what we want to do. We want to run it back.”

Despite being one of the biggest names in MLB, it was Shohei Ohtani’s first postseason appearance in 2024. While he won the third MVP title after a historic 50-50 season, he concluded his first year with the Dodgers by winning the World Series.

While it was a new experience for Ohtani, his teammate, Mookie Betts, is no stranger to the postseason. The eight-time All-Star has three World Series rings, one with the Boston Red Sox (2018) and two with the Dodgers (2020 & 2024).

Dave Roberts says Dodgers “close” in negotiations with Teoscar Hernandez

Dave Roberts also touched upon fan-favorite Teoscar Hernandez’s free agency. The veteran outfielder signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers last offseason and repaid the faith by producing career-best numbers in 2024.

Although much of the limelight was on the superstar trio of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, Hernandez was a reliable hitter in the middle order, slashing .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs.

“I love Two. I think we are close,” Roberts said on the negotiations with Teoscar Hernandez in his free agency.

However, MLB insider Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report wrote in his story that the Cleveland Guardians are reportedly in for the outfielder on a potential $66 million deal for three years.